Live Review: Confessions of a Traitor with SWARM6IX and Shoot to Kill at 229 London (31/05/25)

The future of metal, especially metal that connects in meaningful fashion, is in safe hands. I can confidently state this having experienced Confessions of a Traitor live. A show that must be described as an experience, as this incredible band put on more than just another live performance.

For starters, it’s an album release show, the band having recently released their incredible new album ‘This Pain Will Serve You’ recently, and it’s sold out (read our full review here). It’s packed inside the 229, but not uncomfortably so, and everyone (and I mean everyone) is in good spirits. Not just because of a headliner that is on immense form right now, but because of two bands that bring a ton of energy, a ton of variety, and a ton of great music to willing ears too.

 

Some of us might have tears in our eyes come the end, but it’s all about heads being banged hard at the start. Thanks to the punchy hardcore-infused sound of Shoot to Kill, who continue to show exceptional growth and an ever-increasing maturity that reflects their song writing skills. Due to poor timing on my behalf, I did miss the first half of their set, but from the moment I did walk in, they had my attention (as they always do) and by the end I was banging my head and eyeing up the pit.

SWARM6IX are a different band, in style and tone, even if metal is still the prominent feature. What they showcase is an exciting blend of trap, nu-metal, and alternative heavy intensity. All while vibing away on stage in very entertaining fashion. The drummer, in particular, looked like he was having a blast, and it’s infectious as hell. Whereas the vocalist, who is mightily talented, sneers and snarls in impressive fashion. SWARM6IX don’t always hit for me on record (the combination of styles isn’t going to be for everyone) but when they’re on, they’re freaking on, and this was a great example of that. I’d also add that live is where they truly excel, as there, their musical expression is more impactful, they have a rawness that makes things even more dangerous sounding, and when it’s time to move, there’s nothing quite like a crowd full of bodies doing so to encourage another to in.

Speaking of moving people, in more ways then one, it’s Confessions of a Traitor’s night, and even though they have to follow two great acts, they easily prove why and how this night has sold out.

I’ll summarise the show as staggeringly strong, fun throughout, feral in places, and emotionally penetrating. However, even that isn’t enough to fully explain why I loved this show so much.

Confessions of a Traitor, and the depth their music has, speaks to me on a level I don’t often get from music (To Kill Achilles, Sugar Horse, and Million Moons are three others that do that for me) and to see and hear that in the flesh was amazing. Yes, they’re playing banger songs from a banger album with an domineering amount of energy and on the kind of form that puts so many other bands to shame, but they do so with a smile, even when the music isn’t the sort of stuff that makes you smile. That’s the connection, which so many are sharing, resulting in tears, happy tears, and a ton of love. For an hour (ish) Confessions of a Traitor throw their all into this show, and in return they get pits, walls of death, singalongs, synchronised waves, and so much more. It’s a class show and the smiles on everyone’s face come the end of the night is all the proof anyone needs that this was a show to .